1951 Project underway

[texascowboy593]

Good progress and score on evil-bay. Hope you get alot done before that real cold air arrives! Its like 50 degrees here this morning and its COLD for here!!!

[Daniel U]

Looks like you've been busy! Keep it up, Winter is on the way.

[bretcopsey]

Well, for reasons I'd rather not bore you all with, all I got done this weekend was removing the bed and cleaning up the garage while the truck was in the driveway. Hopefully next weekend will prove to be more productive.

[Blue85]

what year camaro clip did you use, is it the same width as the stock front end?

[bretcopsey]

I used the clip from a 79 Camaro. The track width is greater than the original by a couple inches. I'll just make up for it with wheel offset though.

[Low84]

Thanks, you just gave me a new light of hope for my '51. Really.

Do you think your rust treatment method would work on this (hope you don't mind):



From the cab forward, I realize the bed is pretty much a total loss.

[bretcopsey]

Low84,

The firewall here at work won't let me see your picture. I'll check it out tonight at home. To answer your question as best I can now though, the metal needs to be in good enough condition that it isn't flimsy or rusted through. Basically, if you would be able to sand the rust off, you could use the acid instead. Deep pitting can still reamain after fully cleaned, but as long as it isn't going to cause any structural weakness to the metal, then you can just use a filler or filler primer to smooth it all out.

I got to work on my truck for a few hours yesterday, and how I wish I could figure out a way to use this method on the cab as well! I sanded for a while, then turned my attention to cutting out the dr side cab corner. It's just so much easier to let a solution eat the rust away then to sand it off!!

[Low84]

Alright, I appreciate that. I removed the bed from the chassis yesterday, and the bed is pretty much a total loss. The front bed panel is unsaveable, and the bed side panels seem to have lost strength but I couldn't find any rust on them. Might go ahead and replace them anyway. I did start to sand down the surface rust on the chassis and gave it a protection coating.

So, I take it this acid rust treatment is only for parts that can be dipped, correct?

[bretcopsey]

It is not limited to parts that can be dipped, but the reaction is somewhat slow, and the surface needs to remain wet. For example, I'd love to do my cab, but I would need to find a way to keep a 'shower' going to be effective. I would also need to come up with a way to catch the runoff. I also would be leary of the runoff going down the frame and dripping where it may.

I have had success removing light surface rust using a scotchbrite over a bucket. But for the heavier surface rust I am dealing with, I don't think that would be an effective option.

[Daniel U]

If you plan on using the chassis, sand blast it. Check Harbor Frieght for kits. They aren't too exspensive. Don't sand blast body panels though, the will warp when they get too hot. Also, remember to etch prime the metal before painting. This seals the metal to prevent rust in the future.

[Bishops Trucks]

Hey Brett,
I had a couple in that year range and I love those body styles. Have you thought about a little backyard pond pump? They come in many differant flow ratings, but I'm not sure how they would handle an acid bath. Just a thought. Keep up the good work.

[Low84]

bretcopsey,
Thanks for clearing that up.

Daniel U,
Thanks for the advise. I checked the website out and the prices aren't bad at all.

Didn't mean to hijack your thread bretcopsey, sorry. I just got excited, thats all. I'll start my own build up thread. So if you guys are still willing, you can help me over there.

[bretcopsey]

Originally Posted by Low84

Thanks, you just gave me a new light of hope for my '51. Really.

Do you think your rust treatment method would work on this (hope you don't mind):



From the cab forward, I realize the bed is pretty much a total loss.

You should have no problem using this method!

[bretcopsey]

I think I finally found the 'correct' phosphoric acid at Home Depot. It is available in quart or gallon in the section with the paint thinner etc. Made by Klean Strip, called Phosphoric Etch & Prime (or somehing like that) I'll double check tonight. No more using solutions made for other purposes etc! A gallon was like $13.95 so I bought a few.

*EDIT Phosphoric Prep & Etch*

[bretcopsey]

Originally Posted by Bishops Trucks

Hey Brett,
I had a couple in that year range and I love those body styles. Have you thought about a little backyard pond pump? They come in many differant flow ratings, but I'm not sure how they would handle an acid bath. Just a thought. Keep up the good work.

Somehow i missed your question. I have a submersable pump that flows like crazy. It's actually too much force for my comfort level. I've thought about using a small pump like for a fountain. I'm still leary of making a huge mess though!

This weekend I knocked the rust off the rear 1/2 of the frame with a twisted wire cup then followed that up with a spray of phosphoric acid. I filled a spray bottle and lightly misted everything-and it worked great! Of course, I was wearing a long sleeve shirt, gloves and safety glasses! I also was the only one outside during this.

I decided to try that on the cab as well. I lightly sprayed it, then 'wet sanded' the rust. I just had to keep it wet, and a lot of elbow grease was involed. But it went much better than if I had only 'dry sanded.' I still have a long way to go, but it's progress! I'll try to update with some pictures tonight.

[bretcopsey]

Here's a picture of the inner cab corner after I cut away the outer cab corner. I know patches are available for this, but since the areas are so small I'm going to try to patch it up with some scrap. Once I get that done I'll make better cuts for replacing the outer corner.

There's also a picture of the rear portion of the frame in it's current state. That finish is only from the 'acid prep' mist. I still need t get some paint on it.

[bretcopsey]

And here's the back of the cab as well as the cab roof. I still have a long way to go, but it's some progress!

[Daniel U]

Once again, I admire your enthusiasm/ambition!

[bretcopsey]

Originally Posted by Daniel U

Once again, I admire your enthusiasm/ambition!

Thanks Daniel!

I've taken the last few days off. Here's the prgress on the roof after about 2 more hours work tonight. I was going to just get the cab blasted, but the guy told me he wouldn't touch the roof for fear of warping it. So, here I am, sanding away!

[72CSTC5]

Make sure you guys neutralize all that acid you are putting on there with baking soda and water to get good clean metal again. I would hate for that acid to come back up through your paint job.

[bretcopsey]

Originally Posted by 72CSTC5

Make sure you guys neutralize all that acid you are putting on there with baking soda and water to get good clean metal again. I would hate for that acid to come back up through your paint job.

Although the directions state to rinse with water, I'm going to experiment by treating then painting some scrap before moving on to the truck.

This is as far as I have gotten with the cab to date.

[bretcopsey]

Just a small update. I replaced the dr side cab corner. Then I began fitting up the door to replace the cowl panel when the upper hinge pin broke. So I need to take some time to rebuild them. Hopefully that won't be too painful of a process.

[pgf545]

Bret, Take lots of pictures of the cowl replacement, I am fixin to do that on my dads truck.

Bernie

[bretcopsey]

Originally Posted by pgf545

Bret, Take lots of pictures of the cowl replacement, I am fixin to do that on my dads truck.

Bernie

Bernie, I'm only doing the dr side cowl, but will take a bunch of pics if that is what you need. It should be pretty straight forward. Post 47, picture 2 above shows where I had to drill out some spotwelds. Also, post 46 picture 2 shows the panel mocked into place. Let me kow what else you need to see!

[Jebb1978]

Man this thread is an inspiration! You have come a long way!